Interested parties must bring home baked cakes (completely made from scratch; no boxed mixes, no canned frosting) to the Civic Center by noon on June 17, 2012, along with the recipe, the entrant’s name, address and phone contact.

Up for grabs are $60, $90 and $130 cash prizes for the top three cakes. Pre-registration isn’t necessary, but you must register to enter on the contest day itself at the venue.

For more details, call (304) 342-5491.

“Everything’s Coming up Roses” is the theme this year, with herbal products, specialty teas and craft item up for sale. There will also be hands-on workshops, classes, and of course, tea tasting. Hassan Amjad, a noted ethnobotanist will also give a talk.

This event is open to the public. Admission is free. For more information, call (304) 577-9034.

The Charleston native recently came back and set up shop at the Five Corners, grilling pork ribs and shoulders and basting them with his special sauce. Though it’s only a concession stand at the moment, people are really lining up to pick up lunch and dinner orders. A bar and grill is set to open in June at the red brick building across the Five Corners intersection.

Dem2 Brothers and A Grill
Virginia Street West corner Central Avenue
Charleston, WV
Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
Monday through Saturday
Phone: (304) 550-4431

These farmers markets are seen to address the needs of the locals for healthy alternatives. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared West Virginia as one of the most obese state in the USA, it is hoped that these markets make fresh fruits and vegetables more accessible for citizens aiming for a healthier lifestyle.

The West Side Farmers Market is located at the corner of Washington and Beatrice Streets.

The recipe books range from personal tomes, written in the hand of the homemaker or a compilation of recipes sponsored by a drug store or a food company. There are even recipe books from the Confederate times where recipes from the war are chronicles, along with tips on how to make the most of out rationed food.

Recipes range from family favorites to moonshine to remedies like cough syrup.

The Archives and History Library is open Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm. For more infomation, call (304) 558-0230 or visit wvculture.org.

Located in Rock Cave, Fish Hawk Acres brings us Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), wherein you can order the harvest of the season. Each selection vary depending on whatever blooms in time for each distribution.

Some sample of selections include:

A: Black Seeded Simpson Lettuce, Pea Tendrils, Arugula, Baby Carrots, Flat Leaf Italian Parsley, French Breakfast Radishes, Spring Onions, Maple Syrup.

B: Baby Lettuce, Bull’s Blood Beets, Asian Greens, Spinach, Green Onions, Asparagus, Amethyst Radishes, Multi-grain Bread from Jeff’s Breads.

C: Red Oak leaf and Baby Romaine Lettuce, Pea Shoots, Spinach, Red Mustard Greens, Golden Beets, Chives, Easter Egg Radishes, Granola

D: Wild Fire Mixed Greens, Baby Carrots, Snap Peas, Baby Pac Choy, Fresh Mint, Spinach, Shiitake Mushrooms, Honey

There are enough vegetables for a week in each CSA offerings, and prices starts at $200 (includes shipping) for 7-9 pounds of vegestables good for 1-2 people.

For more information about the farm and its monthly CSA offerings, visit their website at www.wvfishhawkacres.com.

Derived from the popular dish, the word tikka means “cutlet” and masala refers to the sauce it is served in, which is made with a mixture of spices, as is common in South Asian cooking. Expect a medley of dishes accompanied by the delicious aromas that is the trademark of Indian food as you walk in the restaurant for their lunch buffets that runs from 11am to 2:30pm, Mondays to Fridays.

Tikka Masala also opens for dinner at 5pm to 9pm every Friday, and 12noon to 9pm every Saturday.

For inquiries and reservations, call (304) 343-6829.

The news is received with much excitement from citizens who envision a village vibe with streets closed off for a more complete outdoor dining experience, similar to what they have in European cities. However, some have reservations as it might draw some complaints, specially about lack of pedestrian space on the sidewalks.

Still, this development is a welcome news and will give a great new dining experience in Charleston.

Prizes for the cook off range from $150 for the People’s Choice and up to $7,500 for the first place. The winner in this category will be advacing to the World’s Championship Chili Cookoff 2012.

The International Chili Society has made arrangements with Charleston hotels to offer special discounts for out of town participants. Special rates from $84 per night are available for bookings made for the WCCC. For the complete hotel listing, visit the Chili Cook Off blog.

Already removed are the hedges along Lee and Capitol streets, giving the citizens and law enforcement an easy view in and out of the park. The park’s redesign is aiming to cut down on maintenance and hopefully eradicate the biting midges that prey on the park goers, especially during the summer.

The project has started last fall and work will continue this summer. It is projected that the redesign will take two more years to finish and will cost Charleston $136,647 for maintenance and other expenses.